Angenieux presents Optimo 44-440 A2S Anamorphic Zoom Lens in Europe

Angenieux presents Optimo 44-440 A2S Anamorphic Zoom Lens in Europe

At IBC 2016, Angénieux presents for the first time in Europe its new Optimo 44-440 A2S, the third lens in the Optimo Anamorphic 2x Squeeze Series and introduces the Type EZ Series, a new range of two zoom lenses, integrating an innovative lens modular design (Interchangeable Rear Optics IRO technologyTM) to cover S35 mmm and larger image formats for cine and broadcast productions, while showing the full lines of its high-end spherical or anamorphic Optimo and Optimo Style zooms.

First presentation in Europe of the Optimo 44-440 A2S, the Renaissance of the long anamorphic zoom.

Following its introduction at NAB 2016 and its 2016 Cine Gear Expo Technical Award in June, the new Optimo 44-440 A2S is now presented to the European market at IBC. The Optimo 44-440 A2S zoom lens features traditional 2x horizontal squeeze, minimum breathing and distortion, and a fast aperture of T:4.5 across the zoom range. It has a great close focus of 4ft 1in (1.24m), and is one of the lightest lens in its class at 16.6 lbs (7.55kg). The lens creates a unique image that combines controlled background with an aesthetically dimensional foreground. The Optimo 44-440 A2S brings what many refer to as a “creamy and organic look” that Angenieux zooms are known for.

Following NAB and Cinec announcements, the first production units of the Angénieux Optimo 44-440 AS2 have been delivered and are already available at some of the most prestigious rental houses in the world.

– Arri Rental New York (US)

– Otto Nemenz Los Angeles (US)

– Keslow Los Angeles (US)

– Camtec Los Angeles (US)

– TCSFilms New-York (US)

– Scenefone Beijing (China)

– Ludwig Münich (Germany)

– Ljud & Bildmedia Stockholm (Sweden)

– Storyline Oslo (Norway)

“The Angénieux Optimo 44-440 A2S is the best 10-1 rear anamorphic zoom I’ve ever seen in my 25+ years working in the business. The only big zoom with a built in system for metadata, which will make spherical mode useful as well.” – Dan Lopez (Otto Nemenz)

The Optimo 44-440 A2S has already been part of the equipment list of several major productions. It was used for aerial shots (by Active Camera Systems with GSS equipment) of feature film Reloaded http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5613834/?ref_=nv_sr_3 / release in 2017

“It all went really well. I was very impressed with quality of the lens. We utilized the whole zoom range from 44 to 440 in our shots” Pat Longman -Active Camera Systems Inc.

“We are really happy everything went well with the integration and resulting production shoot” Jason Fountaine – GSS Managing Director

Joining the Optimo 56-152 A2S released in 2014, and the Optimo 30-72 A2S released in 2015, the Optimo 44-440 A2S is the third lens in the Optimo anamorphic 2x Squeeze series. Complementary to a set of primes or the short Optimo A2S zooms, the new Angénieux 10x anamorphic zoom lens brings speed and flexibility of the long range zoom to the set.

Another strong benefit of this lens, which generated a real enthusiasm among the rental houses, is the lens modular design (IRO technologyTM) that allows the lens conversion from anamorphic to spherical. The Optimo 44-440 A2S (T4.5- MOD 4.1ft/1.24m) can be converted to a 25-250mm (T3.5 – MOD 4ft/1.21m) spherical lens by exchanging the rear optical element and the Focus, Zoom and T-stop markings

Technical video –

“The switchable rear option (anamorphic to spherical) is a fantastic option for a rental house – I wish we could do that for the LW zooms too. Anamorphic does go in trends and it’s nice that if we are in a dry spell for anamorphic shooting, we can still rent the lens on other jobs…While we do see commercial shots on anamorphic primes only, we frequently see longer projects carrying a zoom. In that case the Angenieux 44-440 fills a void and more so than the lightweight zooms because that is the most requested range.” – Oliver Schietinger (TCS Film)